Distribution & Habitat Cyclamen libanoticum grows in the Lebanese mountains in a number of locations about 64 kilometres north-east of Beirut, where it was first discovered in 1895. After this initial discovery, it was not seen again in the wild until 1961 and it was thought to have become extinct. It grows in the shade of shrubs and trees, amongst rocks and tree roots at altitudes between 750-1400m (2,460 - 4,590 ft). Cyclamen libanoticum was reported from Turkey by Schwarz, in 1938 and 1955. However, it is now generally accepted that the herbarium specimens referred to are in fact C. pseudibericum.

Description

Cyclamen libanoticum has large pale flowers which appear between February and April, generally opening white and colouring with maturity to a pale rose pink, particularly towards the tips of the petals. There is a small crimson-magenta blotch at the base of each petal. The petals are generally oval in shape, from 16-25mm (½-1 inch) long, and 9-13mm (1/3 - ½inch) wide. The generally cordate leaves are greyish-green, usually with a grey marbled pattern. They vary in size from 4-8cm (1½-3 inches) long and 4-7½cm (1½-2¾ inches) wide. Chromosome count 2n=30.

There is little variation in the forms of C. libanoticum in cultivation, as most are descendants of the 1961 collection. Another form, said to be distinct from the typical plant in having elegant longer-petalled, deeper-pink flowers and more distinctly marked leaves, often pink-tinted as they unfold, is sometimes offered in the seed lists of Jim & Jenny Archibald. It comes from a collection made in the 1960s by Eliot Hodgkin and Pere Mouterde.

Cultivation

C. libanoticum has, in recent years, proved to be relatively hardy, surviving temperatures as low as -12ºC in a sheltered well-drained spot. It will not however tolerate both low temperatures and wet conditions, so that the conditions found amongst tree roots or against the base of a wall, are likely to be suitable. In spite of its hardiness, C. libanoticum is generally grown in pots where the flowers are less likely to be effected by frost. It has been reported that it appreciates a loam based compost enriched with decayed pine-needle litter. Under glass, it does not like strong sunlight and benefits from shade or being placed under the staging.